"Why do you have the Rokushiki technique?" Bernard asked with a complex expression in his eyes.
Rokushiki allows the user to unlock the ultimate potential of their attacks, defense, and speed, giving them an advantage when fighting opponents of the same level. However, this technique is exclusive to the Marines, and with very few exceptions, is rarely mastered by anyone else.
Seeing how Murphy used Sora, he couldn't help but ask a question, even though he obviously wouldn't get an answer.
"Didn't you just demonstrate this technique to me? Well, that's your answer, I just learned it," Murphy replied indifferently.
- Do you take me for an idiot?
"Yes!" Murphy confirmed decisively.
- I will silence you forever!
Bernard, beside himself with rage, immediately rushed forward. This blow was delivered with maximum force - even without touching, you could feel the piercing currents of air.
Murphy, not giving in at all, met Bernard's huge fist with a straight punch.
Boom!
The fists collided again with great force. Bernard's punch, reinforced by the momentum of the attack, was like a rock flying at full speed at Murphy, using his strength to the maximum.
This blow was much stronger than the previous one, and although Murphy had the advantage in strength, he could not quickly push Bernard back.
For a moment, the two stood in confrontation, their gazes locked, and Murphy saw the fury in Bernard's eyes. It was the fury of a man who had seen the impossible and was desperate to destroy the illusion.
Having exhausted their strength, both of them simultaneously pulled their fists back.
Murphy swung again, the air humming with tension, the force of the blow every bit as strong as the last.
Bernard couldn't use his momentum again, and being at a disadvantage in terms of strength, he used his Haki to dodge the blow.
The gust of wind from the fist slid across his face, causing pain and even creating the feeling of being hit. However, Bernard, who had a wealth of combat experience, ignored the pain in his face, and after dodging, quickly turned around, delivering a roundhouse kick to Murphy's head.
There was a secret hidden in that blow - a cold glow emanated from the sole of his foot, reflecting on Murphy's face and making him look pale.
Rankyaku!
A crescent-shaped cutting wave descended from Bernard's leg, and instantly appeared before Murphy's eyes. However, Murphy's expression remained unperturbed. His left hand was instantly covered in Armament Haki, and he raised it in front of him to meet the attack.
Bam!
Sparks flew in all directions!
The cutting wave continued to vibrate on Murphy's arm, but it could not move an inch.
The next moment, the crescent moon was cut in half, literally splitting down the middle into two parts that flew to the sides.
Murphy, ignoring the blood pouring from his cut arm, reached through Rankyaku and grabbed Bernard's shin without hesitation.
At this point, Bernard was in between transitioning from his previous attack to his new action, causing the sequence of dodge, spin, and spin kick movements to leave him unable to react to Murphy's tactics.
Boom!
Murphy jerked his arm sharply, throwing Bernard to the ground, and without stopping, he picked him up again and hit him from the other side.
Bernard desperately tried to free himself, trying to kick Murphy with his other leg, but Murphy easily dodged it. Considering that Bernard was still inferior in strength, all his attempts to free himself were unsuccessful.
Murphy's close combat skills were average, not unmatched, but Bernard couldn't gain the slightest advantage.
With no way to escape quickly, he had no choice but to endure. And then, to the horror of everyone present, Bernard seemed to have been turned into a punching bag - Murphy was holding him by the leg and throwing him around violently.
Boom!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
With Murphy holding Bernard by the shin, the rear admiral's head and face were in contact with the ground. To resist the blows, Bernard concentrated all his Armament Will above his neck, and his face turned blacker than coal.
Bernard had always been arrogant and had never been humiliated like this. Therefore, even though his face was black from the Will of Armament, it was clearly visible how it had turned red from unrelenting anger...
The audience saw Bernard's face suddenly turn bright red, like a hot coal, and even smoke rose from it.
- Hee hee! - The laughter came from Sheila. Seeing Bernard like this, she couldn't help but laugh.
The sound was quite loud, and Bernard obviously heard it. After which, everyone could see his face turn even redder.
Under Murphy's continuous blows, the air filled with dust, the ground everywhere became covered with cracks and holes, and the entire area sank.
Murphy's attention never wavered. Despite Bernard's pitiful appearance, he had defended himself well and had suffered almost no serious injuries. And although his resistance was desperate, the slightest inattention could allow him to escape.
Murphy was not about to let this advantage, gained at the cost of his own wounds, slip away. The fight became more and more violent, but as Bernard's rage and confusion grew, his movements became more and more chaotic.
Opportunity!
A cold sparkle flashed in Murphy's eyes. Taking advantage of Bernard's confusion, he raised his other hand, clenched his fingers, concentrated his strength, and delivered a powerful blow to the leg with which Bernard had tried to kick him.
Bang!
— AAA!!!
The scream instantly stunned everyone present. They saw Bernard's powerful shin crushed by one blow, the muscles instantly exploding, blood spurting in all directions, and the leg losing its shape.
- AAAH! YOU SON OF A BITCH, I'LL KILL YOU, I SWEAR!!! - Along with Bernard's cries of pain, his furious curses were heard!
His voice was a mixture of anger, regret and... fear!
With such an injury, unless an exceptionally skilled doctor was found, he would never fully recover. This meant that unless he accepted a staff job, his military career was over.
But that wasn't the worst part. All those problems were in the future, and now he was faced with Murphy's murderous gaze. And if he didn't think of something fast, his life would end in the next moment.
"Shoot! Shoot the mermaid!" Bernard suddenly yelled.
He didn't know why Murphy had attacked Tenryubito, but given the mermaid's presence, he assumed he was definitely trying to save her. If that was the case, if this boy was willing to attack Tenryubito for the sake of a mermaid, then what was his life worth in comparison!?
Indeed, Murphy, who was about to deliver the killing blow, froze for a moment upon hearing Bernard's order, and then instantly appeared in front of the mermaid, protecting her.
Murphy didn't understand Bernard's intentions, but he was right. In the current situation, Sheila was Murphy's only hope for salvation, and he couldn't let her get shot, so he immediately stood in front of her to protect her.
Bang-bang-bang!
The sentries, despite the fear still visible on their faces, immediately carried out Bernard's order, and a stream of bullets rushed towards the mermaid.
But to Bernard's horror, even at this point Murphy had not forgotten about him - that damned left hand was still holding his leg tightly. In fact, his body was being lifted up, used as a shield from the bullets.
In desperation, Bernard covered his entire body with Armament Haki, protecting himself from the bullets. Without this protection, even from normal bullets, he would have suffered greatly.
The next moment, the bullets hit his body without causing any harm.
But immediately he felt dizzy and blood started pouring out of his mouth. An intense pain spread from his neck and he had to use all his strength not to lose consciousness at such a critical moment.
He was in an upside down position, and because of his height, his head was forward and his neck was right next to Murphy's leg.
The attack came from this boy!
This situation was definitely created on purpose!
By covering his entire body with Armament Haki, he weakened the defense of certain areas. He had to choose between facing the bullets by covering his entire body with Armament Haki, or partially defending himself by allowing countless bullets to pierce his body.
When his body was used as a shield, he instinctively covered his entire body with Armament Will, which is why his neck was hit with such a powerful blow!
The sentries, seeing the situation, immediately ceased firing, but it was too late - Bernard felt a gust of wind at his neck again. Even covered with a layer of Armament Will, this vital area could not be completely protected.
Bang!
He couldn't defend himself, which means... he lost for good?
In his foggy mind, Bernard already knew the outcome.
Bang!
This time, without the slightest resistance, he passed out from his severe wounds. His Armament Haki vanished instantly, but Murphy showed no signs of stopping.
Krr! - To the horror of all the soldiers, a sound was heard that sent shivers down their spines. It was the sound of a broken neck, and its meaning required no explanation.
Dead silence.
No one expected Bernard to die in battle. And he didn't die at the hands of a known pirate, nor did he die at the hands of one of the strong newcomers. Instead, he was killed by a young man no one had ever heard of, who looked no older than 15 or 16 years old.
The lookouts' faces showed disbelief, but they could not deny the facts before them. And they were helpless in the face of this situation.
Continue shooting at the enemy or run away?
In the end, in a battle like this, they could only watch. Their weapons could only frighten civilians, but they were no threat to a strong opponent.
"Get away!" Murphy barked.
After which, his bloodlust overwhelmed everyone. The guards seemed to wake up, and cold sweat ran down their bodies. This was a merciless enemy, and if they stayed here, they could do nothing but be killed.
— Let's run!
Some still hesitated, but after the first deserter, a second appeared, the wave of flight became irreversible, and no one could stop it.
Sheila, looking at the patrolmen running in panic, was very happy and immediately rushed to Murphy: - Wow! Murphy, you are so strong! After all, he was a rear admiral!
She was not afraid of the bloody scene before her, there were even stars of admiration sparkling in her eyes. But Murphy did not seem to hear her. There was not the slightest sign of joy on his face, rather the opposite - there was some displeasure.
Just a rear admiral.
Too much time has been wasted.
In any serious event, a rear admiral was just an extra. After all, in high-level duels, rear admirals were no different from the patrolmen now running away - they could only watch.
In the battle with the rear admiral, he had to use the "blood for blood" tactic to have a chance of winning, and even in such a situation, he was unable to break through the defense for a long time.
These Armament Haki users were incredibly tough. He needed to get stronger and master more attack moves!